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Candles, Concoctions & Confessions: A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery Book Five
Valentine’s Day in Willowcroft is usually sweet.
Unless you’re single and storm-locked at a murder mystery weekend that just turned real.
Tammy Rumbelow, her friends and Lockie the cat arrive at Hollowell House for a theatrical Valentine's event based on the hit Waves of Willowcroft radio show. A gothic manor. A savage storm. A host with a talent for provoking every guest in the room. And a blackout that swallows the house whole.
When Adrian Hollowell is found dead by the hearth, the script stops. The nightmare doesn’t.
No phones. No power. No way out. Just candlelight, a houseful of suspects and a killer in the room.
Tammy has solved puzzles before, but not with everyone she loves trapped in the house with whoever did it.
Is it the couple whose trembling hands betray their alibis, the influencer scribbling notes, the guest without a booking who draws everything she sees, the suspicious latecomer seeking revenge, or the hostess guarding a family legacy that's starting to crack.
Someone planned this long before the curtain rose.
And the final act is still to come.
Perfect for fans of classic locked-in mysteries, found-family sleuths, and twists that snap like thunder.
*
Start the series here or continue the adventure. Either way, bring a candle.
Scroll up to get your copy today.
Unless you’re single and storm-locked at a murder mystery weekend that just turned real.
Tammy Rumbelow, her friends and Lockie the cat arrive at Hollowell House for a theatrical Valentine's event based on the hit Waves of Willowcroft radio show. A gothic manor. A savage storm. A host with a talent for provoking every guest in the room. And a blackout that swallows the house whole.
When Adrian Hollowell is found dead by the hearth, the script stops. The nightmare doesn’t.
No phones. No power. No way out. Just candlelight, a houseful of suspects and a killer in the room.
Tammy has solved puzzles before, but not with everyone she loves trapped in the house with whoever did it.
Is it the couple whose trembling hands betray their alibis, the influencer scribbling notes, the guest without a booking who draws everything she sees, the suspicious latecomer seeking revenge, or the hostess guarding a family legacy that's starting to crack.
Someone planned this long before the curtain rose.
And the final act is still to come.
Perfect for fans of classic locked-in mysteries, found-family sleuths, and twists that snap like thunder.
*
Start the series here or continue the adventure. Either way, bring a candle.
Scroll up to get your copy today.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2026
12 people want to read
About the author
Fran Heap
15 books26 followersFran currently lives in Melbourne, Australia. She has travelled to 61 countries but aims to visit over 190. Her life is travelling and caring for babies as a Nanny and Neonatal Nurse. By her own admission she's a terrible redhead with a penchant for quirky data collecting. Her favourite motto being "Curiosity killed the cat, but INFORMATION brought him back." She loves ancient ruins and drains, hates dusting, loves going behind the scenes, can't smile in photos and detests selfie sticks. In her younger days she wanted to be an actress, an astronaut, a youth hostel owner, a department store owner, and a writer. When she was ten she wrote in her diary, "Tonight I vow I will get a story published at some stage before I die." She has now fulfilled this vow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 3, 2026
A fun entry in this series, this takes place at a home where a Valentine's Day murder mystery event is being held. There's also a wild storm going on outside, just to add to the atmosphere, along with finding siblings for owners. When one sibling ends up dead during a blackout, everyone's a suspect. There's lots of twists and turns, and quite the reveal at the end. If you're diving into the series for the first time, there's a handy list in the back of the novel that lists every recurring character and some info about them, which I appreciate! This series does have a lot of recurring characters, so even I can use the refresher.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 6, 2026
Another enjoyable cozy mystery in the Willowcroft series!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this series so far and book 5 didn’t disappoint. It felt different to previous books, probably because it is all set over one night in one location whereas others have taken place around Willowcroft over several days.
The book follows the usual team - Tammy, Olivia, Wally, Mrs T (no Xander in this book) and Lockie as they go to a Valentines Day murder mystery event with a few others from town plus a few new faces. Taking place in the creepy old Hollowell House during a huge storm, the murder mystery takes a dramatic turn when the team have to start investigating a real life murder mystery with the question being whodunnit?
With accusations flying, power being out and being cut off due to the storm, the team have to use all their skills to try and crack the case.
I recommend reading the other books in this series before this one so you can get to know the characters and the previous mysteries they’ve helped to solve.
As usual, I loved the characters! The new characters all seemed slightly murky so it was difficult to see who was and wasn’t suspicious.
I enjoyed the storyline and how it was condensed into one dramatic evening. Having it set at a murder mystery event felt like a novel idea!
I’m looking forward to more in this series - I’m alway eager to find out more about the characters and their lives!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this series so far and book 5 didn’t disappoint. It felt different to previous books, probably because it is all set over one night in one location whereas others have taken place around Willowcroft over several days.
The book follows the usual team - Tammy, Olivia, Wally, Mrs T (no Xander in this book) and Lockie as they go to a Valentines Day murder mystery event with a few others from town plus a few new faces. Taking place in the creepy old Hollowell House during a huge storm, the murder mystery takes a dramatic turn when the team have to start investigating a real life murder mystery with the question being whodunnit?
With accusations flying, power being out and being cut off due to the storm, the team have to use all their skills to try and crack the case.
I recommend reading the other books in this series before this one so you can get to know the characters and the previous mysteries they’ve helped to solve.
As usual, I loved the characters! The new characters all seemed slightly murky so it was difficult to see who was and wasn’t suspicious.
I enjoyed the storyline and how it was condensed into one dramatic evening. Having it set at a murder mystery event felt like a novel idea!
I’m looking forward to more in this series - I’m alway eager to find out more about the characters and their lives!
April 19, 2026
4.5⭐️
(THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC)
Candles, Concotions & Confessions is a cozy murder mystery set during a Valentine's Day Mystery Weekend in an old house, carrying the legacy of a legendary show - a mystery radio show. But, when the mystery was supposed to take off, an unexpected murder occurs, and now everybody is suspicious. Everybody has a motive. So our amateur sleuths get to work - a retired detective, a bookstore owner and other friends, united to find the truth.
Despite not reading other books in this series, I absolutely enjoyed this. The characters were amazingly written and everybody felt a little too real. The story was gripping from start to finish, fast paced and carried a dark atmosphere that still felt cozy enough. Another plus point was the storm the mystery was taking place in - it deepened the atmosphere and felt like a cage.
It carried hints of Agatha Christie, but that only added to the value.
The twists and secrets and confessions at the end kept me at the edge of my seat, and I couldnt stop reading even if I wanted to.
Overall, I think this book should be turned into a movie or a show - it would make an amazing cinematic experience as much as the book. I honestly need to find the other books in this series, thats how hooked i am on the writing and characters! Absolutely amazing.
(THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC)
Candles, Concotions & Confessions is a cozy murder mystery set during a Valentine's Day Mystery Weekend in an old house, carrying the legacy of a legendary show - a mystery radio show. But, when the mystery was supposed to take off, an unexpected murder occurs, and now everybody is suspicious. Everybody has a motive. So our amateur sleuths get to work - a retired detective, a bookstore owner and other friends, united to find the truth.
Despite not reading other books in this series, I absolutely enjoyed this. The characters were amazingly written and everybody felt a little too real. The story was gripping from start to finish, fast paced and carried a dark atmosphere that still felt cozy enough. Another plus point was the storm the mystery was taking place in - it deepened the atmosphere and felt like a cage.
It carried hints of Agatha Christie, but that only added to the value.
The twists and secrets and confessions at the end kept me at the edge of my seat, and I couldnt stop reading even if I wanted to.
Overall, I think this book should be turned into a movie or a show - it would make an amazing cinematic experience as much as the book. I honestly need to find the other books in this series, thats how hooked i am on the writing and characters! Absolutely amazing.
March 27, 2026
4⭐️
The story follows Tammy and her friends as they were supposed to spend the Valentine’s weekend on the Hollowell House, the gothic manor, where they meet a couple, an influencer and an artist. But things go astray following a storm and a breakout. And the weekend solving a murder mystery transforms into a night fill of twists and turns after Adrian Hollowell, the host, is found dead. So now Tammy, her cat and her friends and locked in a manor with secrets hidden deep, no way out and a murderer between them.
My first ever book by the amazing Fran Heap and I can’t say I’m disappointed. Right from the start you can see little hints that will have an extraordinary amount of effect in the final plot even and the writing was so beautiful and so fluid, I sometimes had to read a sentence twice to see if there was a hidden clue in it. I would’ve preferred if the investigation part of the plot was a but longer and with more twists and honestly it’s a great book as it is. Definitely recommend it especially on a stormy night.
The story follows Tammy and her friends as they were supposed to spend the Valentine’s weekend on the Hollowell House, the gothic manor, where they meet a couple, an influencer and an artist. But things go astray following a storm and a breakout. And the weekend solving a murder mystery transforms into a night fill of twists and turns after Adrian Hollowell, the host, is found dead. So now Tammy, her cat and her friends and locked in a manor with secrets hidden deep, no way out and a murderer between them.
My first ever book by the amazing Fran Heap and I can’t say I’m disappointed. Right from the start you can see little hints that will have an extraordinary amount of effect in the final plot even and the writing was so beautiful and so fluid, I sometimes had to read a sentence twice to see if there was a hidden clue in it. I would’ve preferred if the investigation part of the plot was a but longer and with more twists and honestly it’s a great book as it is. Definitely recommend it especially on a stormy night.
April 24, 2026
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Fran Heap for trusting me with an ARC of this book.
This was a really cute, funny, cozy murder mystery with a unique setting and memorable characters! Despite not having read the other books in this series, I found I really enjoyed this story. I’ll be going back to read the others in the series now too.
The story is set at a Valentine’s Day Mystery Weekend, in an old house linked with a legendary mystery radio show. Our eccentric characters find themselves embroiled in a real murder mystery however, and they have to work out who the murderer is and why they killed, all whilst a freak storm causes a major blackout!
It’s fast-paced, short but fun and walked the line between dark and cozy really well, just what I love in a small town murder mystery! I loved how it’s set in one evening too, it felt more high stakes this way I think.
Fran’s writing is really fun, and you feel like she’s hidden clues in her sentences! I’d absolutely recommend this if you’re after something mysterious, fun, and quick to read!
Thank you again Fran for the ARC!
This was a really cute, funny, cozy murder mystery with a unique setting and memorable characters! Despite not having read the other books in this series, I found I really enjoyed this story. I’ll be going back to read the others in the series now too.
The story is set at a Valentine’s Day Mystery Weekend, in an old house linked with a legendary mystery radio show. Our eccentric characters find themselves embroiled in a real murder mystery however, and they have to work out who the murderer is and why they killed, all whilst a freak storm causes a major blackout!
It’s fast-paced, short but fun and walked the line between dark and cozy really well, just what I love in a small town murder mystery! I loved how it’s set in one evening too, it felt more high stakes this way I think.
Fran’s writing is really fun, and you feel like she’s hidden clues in her sentences! I’d absolutely recommend this if you’re after something mysterious, fun, and quick to read!
Thank you again Fran for the ARC!
March 31, 2026
Tammy and her fellow Willowcroft sleuths are invited to Hollowell House for a classic radio show mystery weekend. Amongst a stormy night, power outage, and rising tensions, someone changes the script. Instead of unraveling a pretend puzzle, there is a real murder. The clues point in one direction, but below the surface things look a little too neat. With more Willowcroft secrets to be unearthed can our team find the whole truth?
Fran Heap’s fifth Willowcroft Mystery draws inspiration from Agatha Christie in an atmospheric locked in mystery. The creepy house, stormy weather, and washed out roads set the perfect backdrop for the twists to come. The mystery is fast paced and tightly plotted with plenty of clues dropped for the reader to follow along, with viable suspects hiding secrets and red herrings to lead you astray. Readers new to Willowcroft will have no trouble jumping right in and long time readers will enjoy seeing how each member of the team contributes to the reveal. Perfect for fans of classic whodunnits and realistic, grounded stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Fran Heap’s fifth Willowcroft Mystery draws inspiration from Agatha Christie in an atmospheric locked in mystery. The creepy house, stormy weather, and washed out roads set the perfect backdrop for the twists to come. The mystery is fast paced and tightly plotted with plenty of clues dropped for the reader to follow along, with viable suspects hiding secrets and red herrings to lead you astray. Readers new to Willowcroft will have no trouble jumping right in and long time readers will enjoy seeing how each member of the team contributes to the reveal. Perfect for fans of classic whodunnits and realistic, grounded stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Fran Heap for this ARC!
I know the author was unsure about publishing this book but I think this one was my favorite one so far!! The setting of this book was absolutely perfect! Some of the usual group (plus a few of the Willowcrafters) went to a spooky gothic mansion for a Valentine's Day murder mystery party and of course they must solve a real murder. The mix of the spooky mansion with the gothic romance set up gave the atmosphere the perfect ominous feel, I couldn't get enough!!
Although I missed the whole group together, I did enjoy seeing how the group works when they are split up and two of them have to take charge and solve it. I had some guesses on who did it because they seemed very suspicious but I never guessed the motives or means! This book had me guessing till the end!
I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil anything but this book was so much better than all my expectations! I can't recommend this book and the whole series enough! I hope this series continues for a long time!
Thank you again for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
I know the author was unsure about publishing this book but I think this one was my favorite one so far!! The setting of this book was absolutely perfect! Some of the usual group (plus a few of the Willowcrafters) went to a spooky gothic mansion for a Valentine's Day murder mystery party and of course they must solve a real murder. The mix of the spooky mansion with the gothic romance set up gave the atmosphere the perfect ominous feel, I couldn't get enough!!
Although I missed the whole group together, I did enjoy seeing how the group works when they are split up and two of them have to take charge and solve it. I had some guesses on who did it because they seemed very suspicious but I never guessed the motives or means! This book had me guessing till the end!
I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil anything but this book was so much better than all my expectations! I can't recommend this book and the whole series enough! I hope this series continues for a long time!
Thank you again for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
March 28, 2026
Cozy mystery written to perfection! Ant book that includes a cat who noses out clues is a winner! This is the first book I have read in the Willowcroft series and I want to read them all. I definitely had a few jaw-dropping, gasping moments as the clues lead to solutions. Set in a gothic manor for a mystery themed weekend that turned less scripted and more reality was a great plot! Great story, with well-written characters! Thank-you, BooksGoSocial, for this complimentary copy. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book released March 27th, 2026. CandlesConcoctionsConfessions #NetGalley
March 27, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Fran Heap for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Candles, Concoctions & Confessions coming out March 27, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I really love this series! It was a short read, but I love the cozy mysteries. I think Tammy is a fun character. The town felt quaint and cozy. I’ll definitely check out more books by this author!
I really love this series! It was a short read, but I love the cozy mysteries. I think Tammy is a fun character. The town felt quaint and cozy. I’ll definitely check out more books by this author!
April 15, 2026
This was the final book in the series A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery!!
Valentine’s Day in Willowcroft is usually sweet.
Unless you’re single and storm-locked at a murder mystery weekend that just turned real.
Perfect for fans of classic locked-in mysteries, found-family sleuths, and twists that snap like thunder.
Valentine’s Day in Willowcroft is usually sweet.
Unless you’re single and storm-locked at a murder mystery weekend that just turned real.
Perfect for fans of classic locked-in mysteries, found-family sleuths, and twists that snap like thunder.
April 26, 2026
Tammy, Wally and their friends have chosen something different for their Valentines Day - they're on an immersive murder mystery evening at Hollowell House. There's a storm raging outside and tensions running high amongst the guests, it's the perfect recipe for an atmospheric evening...until the body is discovered. Locked in and with no way to contact the outside world the group knows one of them is the killer. But who? And why?
I have to say the atmosphere in this book was fantastic. The creepy old house felt like it was under siege from the storm outside, I could almost hear the thunder and feel the house groaning under the strain. Brilliant scene setting, hugely appreciated it. Loved the idea of the Valentines murder mystery event for singles too, not a setting I've come across in a cozy before and it really worked. Also, Lockie the cat - absolute superstar, total master sleuth - so much love to Lockie.
On the whole though I can't say as I massively enjoyed this. It wasn't bad, but it didn't capture my interest. I appreciate that this is the fifth book in a series and that most readers have probably been with these characters since the beginning, but coming into it cold was difficult. Even reading the character bios first wouldn't have helped me to figure out who's who or to make any kind of bond with them.
The actual mystery was a clever idea, and there were a couple of red herrings - but I found that this book was a real case of style over substance. If you take away all of the descriptive writing and atmosphere building, you're left with a very short plot. This would actually work better as a short story within one of the other books in the series I think - there were so many times when I felt like I was missing something or I should have known something but didn't.
A nice short read perfect for a rainy weekend but I do think it's necessary to begin a the beginning with this series if you're looking to get invested.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
I have to say the atmosphere in this book was fantastic. The creepy old house felt like it was under siege from the storm outside, I could almost hear the thunder and feel the house groaning under the strain. Brilliant scene setting, hugely appreciated it. Loved the idea of the Valentines murder mystery event for singles too, not a setting I've come across in a cozy before and it really worked. Also, Lockie the cat - absolute superstar, total master sleuth - so much love to Lockie.
On the whole though I can't say as I massively enjoyed this. It wasn't bad, but it didn't capture my interest. I appreciate that this is the fifth book in a series and that most readers have probably been with these characters since the beginning, but coming into it cold was difficult. Even reading the character bios first wouldn't have helped me to figure out who's who or to make any kind of bond with them.
The actual mystery was a clever idea, and there were a couple of red herrings - but I found that this book was a real case of style over substance. If you take away all of the descriptive writing and atmosphere building, you're left with a very short plot. This would actually work better as a short story within one of the other books in the series I think - there were so many times when I felt like I was missing something or I should have known something but didn't.
A nice short read perfect for a rainy weekend but I do think it's necessary to begin a the beginning with this series if you're looking to get invested.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
April 26, 2026
What a strange little book.
This was very much a book of style over substance. I have not read the previous books in this series and I can freely admit, that might be colouring my views of this book, but it felt almost like a tale within a tale. Ideally, cosy's should work no matter which book you pick up first. There was no space in this tale devoted to really explaining who these people were. (I'm not talking about the 'whos who' at the end of the book, I'm talking about their characters) Maybe the author just assumed that wasn't needed but you can pick up any Miss Marple book for example, or her short stories, and you are given this character rather an just a name.
Atmospherically, it was a marvel. A creepy mansion that is falling apart around the characters, a dramatic storm that has flooded the roads and cut them off. A power cut, no signal, a murder mystery themed weekend that suddenly becomes real... that was fantastic.
It's just. This is a short book to start with, and it felt like a good half of it was about the storm or the house itself, and the creep factor, rather than the mystery we were going to solve. We were given so little to work with, that it took me a while to even work out who was who.
I also wasn't a fan of the writing style, the choppy short sentences. It's good to vary your sentence length of course, but it felt jarring when it was used so often.
The cat however, absolute star of the show, loved him, and I have nothing but good things about his near psychic abilities to help solve crimes. He's a delight and if anything would tempt me to try this series again, it would be him.
At the end of the day though, when there are so many other cosy books out there, I don't think this is a series I would recommend or personally return to.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
This was very much a book of style over substance. I have not read the previous books in this series and I can freely admit, that might be colouring my views of this book, but it felt almost like a tale within a tale. Ideally, cosy's should work no matter which book you pick up first. There was no space in this tale devoted to really explaining who these people were. (I'm not talking about the 'whos who' at the end of the book, I'm talking about their characters) Maybe the author just assumed that wasn't needed but you can pick up any Miss Marple book for example, or her short stories, and you are given this character rather an just a name.
Atmospherically, it was a marvel. A creepy mansion that is falling apart around the characters, a dramatic storm that has flooded the roads and cut them off. A power cut, no signal, a murder mystery themed weekend that suddenly becomes real... that was fantastic.
It's just. This is a short book to start with, and it felt like a good half of it was about the storm or the house itself, and the creep factor, rather than the mystery we were going to solve. We were given so little to work with, that it took me a while to even work out who was who.
I also wasn't a fan of the writing style, the choppy short sentences. It's good to vary your sentence length of course, but it felt jarring when it was used so often.
The cat however, absolute star of the show, loved him, and I have nothing but good things about his near psychic abilities to help solve crimes. He's a delight and if anything would tempt me to try this series again, it would be him.
At the end of the day though, when there are so many other cosy books out there, I don't think this is a series I would recommend or personally return to.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
April 2, 2026
I received this book courtesy of Netgalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Overview: Tammy Rumblelow has been invited to a Dinner Murder Mystery weekend along with her sleuthing team and a couple of friends. Their host, Adrian Hollowell is found dead during the opening of the games. Who killed Adrian? Could it be a bad case of sibling rivalry? Or could the only couple in this single's event be to blame? One thing is for sure, Tammy and Wally intend to find the truth. So, did they succeed? Let's find out.
Dislikes: This will be aggravating to some newcomers to the Willowcroft Cozy Mysteries. The prose is a little bit purple, and can take up to five ebook pages to describe a thunderstorm.
Adrian didn't care about anything except his own amusement.
Marjorie needs to lose some attitude. She was almost as nasty as Adrian, and yet she hides behind "keeping people truthful". The truth is important, yet there was no reason to deny that the Hollowell family did add a lot to Willowcroft.
Likes: The team all managed to keep people from losing their tempers.
Lockie seemed to always find the information that the team needed.
Wally is kind of fun to follow. We don't usually see the former police officer in a position of importance in these cozy mysteries.
Conclusion: This was an okay read. If you like a more literary fiction twist to your cozy mysteries, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Overview: Tammy Rumblelow has been invited to a Dinner Murder Mystery weekend along with her sleuthing team and a couple of friends. Their host, Adrian Hollowell is found dead during the opening of the games. Who killed Adrian? Could it be a bad case of sibling rivalry? Or could the only couple in this single's event be to blame? One thing is for sure, Tammy and Wally intend to find the truth. So, did they succeed? Let's find out.
Dislikes: This will be aggravating to some newcomers to the Willowcroft Cozy Mysteries. The prose is a little bit purple, and can take up to five ebook pages to describe a thunderstorm.
Adrian didn't care about anything except his own amusement.
Marjorie needs to lose some attitude. She was almost as nasty as Adrian, and yet she hides behind "keeping people truthful". The truth is important, yet there was no reason to deny that the Hollowell family did add a lot to Willowcroft.
Likes: The team all managed to keep people from losing their tempers.
Lockie seemed to always find the information that the team needed.
Wally is kind of fun to follow. We don't usually see the former police officer in a position of importance in these cozy mysteries.
Conclusion: This was an okay read. If you like a more literary fiction twist to your cozy mysteries, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
April 30, 2026
Allow a day for this perfect, clean, twisted, complex, contemporary, small-town, previously unresolved, double cozy-mystery procedural, on Valentine's Weekend at Hollowell House in Willowcroft, Michigan, involving forbidden-love-romance, humor, infertility, readers-and-writers, Waves of Willowcroft Mystery Theater Show Pesents Valentine Vendetta, a storm, a blackout, no phones, a haunted wreck, a deathtrap, a moneypit, a singles event; a puzzle, a crime, a race against time; a missing key, an historic mansion, self-sufficiency, content, drinks, a bruise, an interview, tinctures, rain, sleet, Knotty but Nice group chat, bad decisions and porch swings, flash flooding, a greeting with footnotes, reproduction crown molding, an off-switch query, batteries; friends, sleuths, and miscreants; a digital cleanse, dimmed lights; power, safety, crime scene; sabotage, skipping cocoa, hand-wringing catastrophists, improvisation, a sack of dramatic potatoes, a protective husband, old sins, the broadcast-room key, a cursed episode, the vault key, a treasure hunt; Episode 212. Old Sins Draft; Elizabeth Mannon, a caped villain, romance and slightly suspicious canapes, chocolate fondue, interesting but irrelevant facts, means, motive, opportunity, scripts, a kiss, a dramatic opening, chasing tornadoes, and tunnel vision.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2026
I love the setting of this cozy read: a murder mystery weekend for Valentine's Day...that ends with a real murder! The descriptions are amazing. Of the mansion, the creaks, the storm, the candlelit rooms. I found myself re-reading them, they were so detailed! Although, I did find the writing style choppy and matter-of-fact.
"A narrow door beneath the grand staircase led to the basement. The door moaned open. Old air wafted out, wet with cellar damp, thick with dust, and tainted by mildew and old root vegetables. The stairs descended into pitch darkness.
Serena plunged down, fingers sliding along the splintered rail, the other hand holding her candle. Wally followed. Felicity brought up the rear.
Wally counted steps as they descended. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty. Sound died in the basement. The storm became distant."
I did not realize this was book 5 in the series. There is a 'handy guide for newcomers' at the back of the book, but it did not help with keeping track of who's who. For this reason, I would recommend starting from the beginning of the series to be more familiar with the characters? I would have liked more in-depth character descriptions. Their backstories, personalities, etc. I couldn't discern one character from another.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC!
"A narrow door beneath the grand staircase led to the basement. The door moaned open. Old air wafted out, wet with cellar damp, thick with dust, and tainted by mildew and old root vegetables. The stairs descended into pitch darkness.
Serena plunged down, fingers sliding along the splintered rail, the other hand holding her candle. Wally followed. Felicity brought up the rear.
Wally counted steps as they descended. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty. Sound died in the basement. The storm became distant."
I did not realize this was book 5 in the series. There is a 'handy guide for newcomers' at the back of the book, but it did not help with keeping track of who's who. For this reason, I would recommend starting from the beginning of the series to be more familiar with the characters? I would have liked more in-depth character descriptions. Their backstories, personalities, etc. I couldn't discern one character from another.
Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC!
May 9, 2026
2 1/2 stars. This was a locked room mystery in a gothic, falling down mansion at a Valentine's Day mystery radio reading, of course during a storm which provided great atmosphere. The mystery definitely had plenty of twists and turns that will keep a reader guessing until the end. It didn't build on many of the mysteries the core group of amateur detectives have unraveled in other books about Willowcroft's past but it fits in with the flavor of the rest of the series.
It was very confusing to keep the characters straight but once I did--about half way through--I enjoyed the story. While this was a stand-alone I think it would definitely help to be familiar with some of the characters before starting this. I had read others in the series and I was still confused because it had been a while since I had read them. It was told from various povs which also added to the confusion. Yes, there is a list of the characters with a description at the end of the book but I didn't find it until I finished the book.
Overall, a charming series and while I enjoyed this book it was not my favorite of the series because I couldn't keep the characters straight.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
It was very confusing to keep the characters straight but once I did--about half way through--I enjoyed the story. While this was a stand-alone I think it would definitely help to be familiar with some of the characters before starting this. I had read others in the series and I was still confused because it had been a while since I had read them. It was told from various povs which also added to the confusion. Yes, there is a list of the characters with a description at the end of the book but I didn't find it until I finished the book.
Overall, a charming series and while I enjoyed this book it was not my favorite of the series because I couldn't keep the characters straight.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
April 2, 2026
This is a short crime story, and, despite the murder, relatively cosy to read!
I really enjoyed the theatrics and the focus on radio plays/dramas. The pacing is also pretty well balanced for the short story.
It was a little repetitive (do I need to be told over and over that Olivia is a Genealogist? No, I got that the first time), and it was stormy - that was really hammered in, I felt occasionally at the expense of getting to read about the characters.
This is my first book I’ve read of this series, hearing that you could pick them up in any order and I do agree with that. You can drop in and out, though perhaps I need to get used to the writing style because I found it confusing at first the constant changing on character we were focusing on.
I also, really did not like Marjorie but, Lockie made up for that. Who doesn’t love a cat who helps solve crimes?!
Overall, this was a good and quick read. Thank you NetGalley, the publishers and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I really enjoyed the theatrics and the focus on radio plays/dramas. The pacing is also pretty well balanced for the short story.
It was a little repetitive (do I need to be told over and over that Olivia is a Genealogist? No, I got that the first time), and it was stormy - that was really hammered in, I felt occasionally at the expense of getting to read about the characters.
This is my first book I’ve read of this series, hearing that you could pick them up in any order and I do agree with that. You can drop in and out, though perhaps I need to get used to the writing style because I found it confusing at first the constant changing on character we were focusing on.
I also, really did not like Marjorie but, Lockie made up for that. Who doesn’t love a cat who helps solve crimes?!
Overall, this was a good and quick read. Thank you NetGalley, the publishers and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
April 21, 2026
Candles, Concoctions & Confessions by Fran Heap is a cleverly crafted cozy mystery that blends classic locked-room suspense with a modern, character-driven twist. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a storm-bound manor, the novel delivers tension, intrigue, and just the right amount of charm.
The setup is immediately engaging a Valentine’s-themed mystery weekend that quickly spirals into a real-life murder. The isolation created by the storm and blackout heightens the suspense, turning every character into a potential suspect. Tammy Rumbelow stands out as a relatable and determined protagonist, navigating fear and uncertainty while trying to protect those around her.
What makes this installment particularly enjoyable is its balance of suspense and personality. The cast of characters is diverse and intriguing, each with their own secrets and motivations, keeping readers guessing until the very end. With its strong pacing, vivid setting, and satisfying twists, this book is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre and a must-read for fans of classic whodunits.
The setup is immediately engaging a Valentine’s-themed mystery weekend that quickly spirals into a real-life murder. The isolation created by the storm and blackout heightens the suspense, turning every character into a potential suspect. Tammy Rumbelow stands out as a relatable and determined protagonist, navigating fear and uncertainty while trying to protect those around her.
What makes this installment particularly enjoyable is its balance of suspense and personality. The cast of characters is diverse and intriguing, each with their own secrets and motivations, keeping readers guessing until the very end. With its strong pacing, vivid setting, and satisfying twists, this book is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre and a must-read for fans of classic whodunits.
April 5, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5 stars)
this was such a fun cosy mystery and i actually had a really good time with it
it starts off as a murder mystery weekend for valentine’s day… and then it very quickly turns into an actual murder which i loved 😅
storm, blackout, creepy manor, no way out… yeah i was hooked straight away
i really liked the whole locked-in setting it had that classic who did it feel where everyone is a suspect and you’re constantly trying to figure out who did it
and honestly i changed my mind so many times
the characters were also really fun
everyone felt a little off or suspicious in their own way which made it more interesting
it’s not super dark or heavy, but it still keeps you guessing and has that cosy mystery vibe the whole time
overall just a really enjoyable, easy read that i flew through — a solid 3.5⭐ for me
thank you to netgalley, the publisher & fran heap for the arc
this was such a fun cosy mystery and i actually had a really good time with it
it starts off as a murder mystery weekend for valentine’s day… and then it very quickly turns into an actual murder which i loved 😅
storm, blackout, creepy manor, no way out… yeah i was hooked straight away
i really liked the whole locked-in setting it had that classic who did it feel where everyone is a suspect and you’re constantly trying to figure out who did it
and honestly i changed my mind so many times
the characters were also really fun
everyone felt a little off or suspicious in their own way which made it more interesting
it’s not super dark or heavy, but it still keeps you guessing and has that cosy mystery vibe the whole time
overall just a really enjoyable, easy read that i flew through — a solid 3.5⭐ for me
thank you to netgalley, the publisher & fran heap for the arc
May 12, 2026
I am new to NetGalley and I stumbled upon this cozy mystery book purely based on the vibes of the cover and the blurb, only later realizing that it is actually a part of a longer series. So it took me a few chapters to get the hang of the recurring characters and their dynamics, but once I had it, I had a fun time reading!
This is such a good example of a cozy mystery! The stakes are not that high, but the atmosphere is exactly what I expected based on the original vibes. It's a classic locked-room mystery full with all the right elements: an old, creaky mansion with secret corridors and hiding places, a group of very suspicious guests, old secrets, and amateur crime-solvers who are definitely up to whatever is going to happen when the lights go out.
Oh, and I just loved that the cat, Lockie is just roaming around, solving the mystery on his own!
Thanks for Net Galley and the author for this digital advanced copy!
This is such a good example of a cozy mystery! The stakes are not that high, but the atmosphere is exactly what I expected based on the original vibes. It's a classic locked-room mystery full with all the right elements: an old, creaky mansion with secret corridors and hiding places, a group of very suspicious guests, old secrets, and amateur crime-solvers who are definitely up to whatever is going to happen when the lights go out.
Oh, and I just loved that the cat, Lockie is just roaming around, solving the mystery on his own!
Thanks for Net Galley and the author for this digital advanced copy!
April 5, 2026
🕯️ When the murder mystery script ends, the real nightmare begins. 🕯️
I’m back in Willowcroft for the fifth installment of this delightful series, and Candles, Concoctions & Confessions by Fran Heap is a total tension-filled treat! This time, Tammy Rumbelow and her crew (minus Xander) head to a gothic manor for a theatrical Valentine’s event, but a savage storm and a blackout turn a fun weekend into a deadly locked room setting.
When the host is found dead by the hearth, the "play" stops and the real investigation begins. I enjoyed the twists and turns of this plot. With the house is cut off from the outside world, the stakes feel incredibly personal. Everyone is a suspect and watching Tammy untangle the web of alibis kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Why this series stays on my TBR:
The Atmosphere: The combination of the howling storm and the flickering candlelight made for a perfectly spooky, classic mystery vibe.
The Found Family: I love seeing this group of sleuths work together. Each character's unique perspective is vital when the power goes out and the pressure is on!
The Pacing: The ticking clock element of being trapped until the storm breaks adds a fantastic layer of urgency to the whodunnit.
If you love a mystery that snaps like thunder and features a cast of characters you genuinely care about, you need to check out the Willowcroft world. Huge thanks to BooksGoSocial for the ARC!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date: March 27, 2026
Series: A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery Book 5
Disclaimer: Thank you BooksGoSocial for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I’m back in Willowcroft for the fifth installment of this delightful series, and Candles, Concoctions & Confessions by Fran Heap is a total tension-filled treat! This time, Tammy Rumbelow and her crew (minus Xander) head to a gothic manor for a theatrical Valentine’s event, but a savage storm and a blackout turn a fun weekend into a deadly locked room setting.
When the host is found dead by the hearth, the "play" stops and the real investigation begins. I enjoyed the twists and turns of this plot. With the house is cut off from the outside world, the stakes feel incredibly personal. Everyone is a suspect and watching Tammy untangle the web of alibis kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Why this series stays on my TBR:
The Atmosphere: The combination of the howling storm and the flickering candlelight made for a perfectly spooky, classic mystery vibe.
The Found Family: I love seeing this group of sleuths work together. Each character's unique perspective is vital when the power goes out and the pressure is on!
The Pacing: The ticking clock element of being trapped until the storm breaks adds a fantastic layer of urgency to the whodunnit.
If you love a mystery that snaps like thunder and features a cast of characters you genuinely care about, you need to check out the Willowcroft world. Huge thanks to BooksGoSocial for the ARC!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date: March 27, 2026
Series: A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery Book 5
Disclaimer: Thank you BooksGoSocial for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 11, 2026
Tammy, Olivia, Mrs. T, Wally and Lockie are invited to Hollowell House for a Valentines mystery weekend. They ring along Marjorie and Betty from Mrs. T’s knitting group.
A real murder wasn’t on the schedule for the weekend, neither was the big storm that took out the lights and communication with town.
I really enjoy the Willowcroft mysteries. Candles, Concoctions and Confessions is not an exception. I did struggle with the opening of the story. It felt awkward. Maybe I should have done a better job reading the description for the book immediately before beginning to read. This may have cleared up my confusion at the beginning.
Once I found my footing with the new location, I enjoyed watching the story unfold.
If you like cozy mysteries, I highly suggest reading this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read the book.
A real murder wasn’t on the schedule for the weekend, neither was the big storm that took out the lights and communication with town.
I really enjoy the Willowcroft mysteries. Candles, Concoctions and Confessions is not an exception. I did struggle with the opening of the story. It felt awkward. Maybe I should have done a better job reading the description for the book immediately before beginning to read. This may have cleared up my confusion at the beginning.
Once I found my footing with the new location, I enjoyed watching the story unfold.
If you like cozy mysteries, I highly suggest reading this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read the book.
April 13, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.
This was an okay book. I enjoyed it enough, but overall it just wasn't my cup of tea. While I do enjoy cozy mysteries, this one really didn't do it for me.
There were so many characters that it took me a few chapters to sort out who is who. And I felt like some of them weren't really necessary to the story. There were also instances where the POV changed mid page with no warning, which only added to the confusion. Some of the main characters were also very similar.
I really enjoyed the plot and I am so sucker for a closed door mystery. I feel that the ending, while I hadn't figured it out, didn't come out of left field and looking back given the clues the murderer's identity made sense.
This was an okay book. I enjoyed it enough, but overall it just wasn't my cup of tea. While I do enjoy cozy mysteries, this one really didn't do it for me.
There were so many characters that it took me a few chapters to sort out who is who. And I felt like some of them weren't really necessary to the story. There were also instances where the POV changed mid page with no warning, which only added to the confusion. Some of the main characters were also very similar.
I really enjoyed the plot and I am so sucker for a closed door mystery. I feel that the ending, while I hadn't figured it out, didn't come out of left field and looking back given the clues the murderer's identity made sense.
March 28, 2026
3.75 stars!
This Willowcroft mystery was fun and atmospheric!
The setting is an old home, complete with flickering lights, secret passageways, and an unexpected murder.
I enjoyed the lightness of this murder mystery, which sounds odd, but it had a light cozy tone instead an edge or your seat scary thriller.
This is my first book in the series, but technically number five in the series.
I appreciated that this series can be read as stand alone books. The author makes it very convenient by adding info on each person in the back of the book, in case you need a character refresher or it’s your first book in the series.
This Willowcroft mystery was fun and atmospheric!
The setting is an old home, complete with flickering lights, secret passageways, and an unexpected murder.
I enjoyed the lightness of this murder mystery, which sounds odd, but it had a light cozy tone instead an edge or your seat scary thriller.
This is my first book in the series, but technically number five in the series.
I appreciated that this series can be read as stand alone books. The author makes it very convenient by adding info on each person in the back of the book, in case you need a character refresher or it’s your first book in the series.
March 29, 2026
Candles, Concoctions & Confessions is a Superb story and series about Tammy Rumbelow a Genealogist and Writer with her very clever cat Lockie and her friends go to a Mystery Theatre Weekend for Valentine. But they discover the Adrian Hollowell the Host murdered. Unfortunately there is a storm so they are cut off from the outside. Wally starts to investigate as he is a Retired Detective with Tammy and Lockie. But can they find all the pieces of this puzzle and discover the truth?
I enjoyed the story very much and I highly recommend that you read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the story very much and I highly recommend that you read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2026
Book 5 of the A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery servers. Can bereadasastandalonebutformaximumenjoymentreadthebooksinseriesorder.
'Perfect for fans of classic locked-in mysteries, found-family sleuths, and twists that snap like thunder.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and quirky and mysterious. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'Perfect for fans of classic locked-in mysteries, found-family sleuths, and twists that snap like thunder.'
The characters were very appealing and likeable and quirky and mysterious. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2026
The gang is invited to participate in a Valentine’s Day murder mystery weekend being launched at a local B&B. When it turns into a reality event and the power goes out during a storm, the team needs to figure out who amongst them is a murderer before they strike again.
This is a fun series and so enjoyable. I think my favorite character is the cat. I mean, he’s smarter than most people I know, so I can’t help but love him!
This is a fun series and so enjoyable. I think my favorite character is the cat. I mean, he’s smarter than most people I know, so I can’t help but love him!
March 30, 2026
When a murder mystery weekend starts to get all too real. Another wonderful cozy mystery in this series (all can be read standalone). Wonderful characters that are working together to figure out what happened. A storyline that keeps surprising you while also making you laugh. Just wonderful to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 8, 2026
This book made me feel like I was in the game Clue. Solving for a mystery that emerged in a mansion. Overall the plot was good, I personally couldn’t hold depth perception on how long the entire book was held over for. This was my first book from the author and overall it was a good choice. It is a cozy book that is a bit repetitive but a good storyline. Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange of my honest feedback. 3.5 stars.
April 13, 2026
It took me a few tries to read this book. Once the story became more alive, I found myself eagerly reading, hoping to solve the mystery.
A Murder Mystery Theater party suddenly becomes a murder investigation when the host is found dead.
There are plenty of suspects for Tammy and her friends to investigate, and the reveal was done really well.
A Murder Mystery Theater party suddenly becomes a murder investigation when the host is found dead.
There are plenty of suspects for Tammy and her friends to investigate, and the reveal was done really well.
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